If you’re looking for a way to shake up pizza night with something nostalgic and utterly delicious, this Reuben Pizza Recipe is going to be your new go-to. Imagine all the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich — that perfect tangy sauerkraut, savory corned beef, creamy Thousand Island dressing, and melty Swiss cheese — but baked on a crispy pizza crust. I absolutely love how this turns out because it’s like comfort food and pizza had a flavor-packed baby. Keep reading, and I’ll share everything you need to nail this fun twist in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nostalgic Flavor Combo: It perfectly captures the classic Reuben sandwich flavors, but with the fun twist of pizza.
- Quick & Easy to Make: With a pre-baked crust, this comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family Favorite: My whole crew goes crazy for this, especially when I add a little extra cheese on top.
- Customizable & Fun: You can tweak the toppings or cheeses to suit your taste, making it your own signature pie.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work in harmony to bring you that unmistakable Reuben pizza goodness — rich, tangy, and savory. When shopping, look for good quality corned beef and fresh sauerkraut to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
- Pizza crust: Using a pre-baked 12″ crust saves time and ensures a crispy base so it can hold all those toppings without getting soggy.
- Corned beef: Go for thick-cut and roughly cubed for that meaty chew that’s essential to the Reuben experience.
- Sauerkraut: Frank’s is a great store-bought option; its tanginess is key to balancing the richness of the meat and cheese.
- Thousand Island dressing: This creamy, sweet-tangy sauce is the secret to bringing all those flavors together on the crust.
- Swiss cheese: Shredded so it melts beautifully, adding that nutty, melty texture you expect from a Reuben.
- Mozzarella cheese: Mixed in for extra gooeyness and stretch factor—makes the pizza irresistibly cheesy.
Variations
I love that this Reuben Pizza Recipe is versatile enough to suit a few different cravings or dietary tweaks. Feel free to play around with toppings or cheese blends to make it just right for you.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the corned beef with thinly sliced mushrooms or caramelized onions to keep the umami flavor without the meat—I tried this for a friend and it was surprisingly satisfying!
- Extra Crispy Crust: Pop your crust in the oven a little longer before adding toppings so you get that unbeatable crunch beneath all the luscious toppings.
- Spicy Kick: Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce on top after baking for a fiery version that wakes up your taste buds.
- Dairy-Free: Use vegan cheese slices or nutritional yeast as a topping alternative—this still captures the vibe without the dairy.
How to Make Reuben Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. I like to bake my crust just until it starts to brown lightly—this usually takes about 5-7 minutes depending on your crust. This step is crucial because it gives you that sturdy, crispy base so your toppings don’t make the dough soggy later on.
Step 2: Layer on the Flavors
Spread a generous half cup of Thousand Island dressing over the crust; this acts as a flavorful sauce base. Then, scatter your cubed corned beef evenly. Add a cup of sauerkraut—don’t worry if it looks like a lot, the baking melts all those flavors into amazingness. Finally, sprinkle the shredded Swiss and mozzarella cheeses on top. The combo of cheeses creates the perfect melty, stretchy layer.
Step 3: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Bake your loaded pizza for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with a nice golden color. Keep an eye on it after about 8 minutes so it doesn’t burn. When it’s done, your kitchen will smell incredible—and you’ll be ready to slice and serve while piping hot.
Pro Tips for Making Reuben Pizza Recipe
- Sauerkraut Drainage: I always drain the sauerkraut really well to avoid soggy pizza—pat it dry with paper towels before adding.
- Cheese Blend Magic: Mixing Swiss with mozzarella gives you that classic Reuben flavor plus the gooey stretch I crave in a pizza.
- Warm Oven Shortcut: If you pre-bake your crust a little longer, your pizza finishes baking faster and the crust stays perfectly crisp.
- Even Topping Distribution: I learned to cube my corned beef instead of shredding it so every bite has just the right meat-to-cheese ratio.
How to Serve Reuben Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I like to top slices of this Reuben Pizza Recipe with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—just to add a bit of color and brightness. Sometimes I drizzle a smidge more Thousand Island or a tangy mustard right on top for an extra punch of Reuben vibes.
Side Dishes
This pizza pairs amazingly well with a simple green salad dressed with a lemon vinaigrette, or some crispy dill pickles for that salty crunch. For a heartier meal, roasted potatoes or a light coleslaw complement the tangy flavors nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party idea, I cut the pizza into small, bite-sized squares and serve it alongside mini jars of Thousand Island for dipping. Another time, I made individual-sized Reuben pizzas on small naan breads—instant crowd-pleasers at game day!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Reuben pizza cools, I wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store them in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 2-3 days—great for a quick lunch or dinner the next day.
Freezing
Freezing a fully assembled pizza can get soggy, so I recommend freezing leftovers after baking. Place slices in airtight freezer bags separated by parchment paper; they freeze beautifully and heat up fast—perfect for planning ahead.
Reheating
To reheat and keep things crispy, I pop leftover slices in a hot oven at 375°F for 7-8 minutes or use a skillet on medium heat with a lid to refresh the cheese melt without sogginess. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the crust chewy.
FAQs
-
Can I use homemade pizza dough for this Reuben Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works wonderfully; just make sure you pre-bake it until it’s lightly golden before adding toppings to avoid a soggy crust.
-
What’s the best cheese combination for authentic flavor?
Swiss cheese is essential for that classic Reuben flavor, and mixing in mozzarella gives you that gooey goodness that works perfectly on pizza.
-
Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?
Yes! Use plant-based cheese and swap corned beef with hearty vegetables like mushrooms or jackfruit. Just be sure to keep the sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing vegan-friendly.
-
Is this pizza good for kids?
Many kids enjoy it especially if you tone down the sauerkraut or chop the corned beef finely. Adding extra cheese usually helps make it kid-friendly too.
Final Thoughts
This Reuben Pizza Recipe will surprise you how perfectly a beloved sandwich transforms into a crowd-pleasing pizza. I’ve found it’s one of those recipes that brings people around the table smiling and asking for seconds—and that’s the real magic. So go ahead, give it a try on your next pizza night; you might just find you never want to go back to plain cheese slices again!
Print
Reuben Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 1 pizza, approximately 8 slices
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Reuben Pizza is a delightful twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, combining tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy Thousand Island dressing, and melted Swiss and Mozzarella cheese atop a crispy pre-baked pizza crust. This easy-to-make pizza is perfect for pizza night and brings all the flavors of the beloved sandwich in a new, cheesy form.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 12″ pizza crust, pre-baked
Toppings
- 1 pound Corned Beef, cut about 1/2″ thick and cubed
- 1 cup Frank’s Kraut
- 1/2 cup Thousand Island Dressing
- 8 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare crust: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Pre-bake the pizza crust according to package instructions or until it just begins to brown, ensuring a crispy base for the toppings.
- Add toppings layering: Spread the Thousand Island dressing evenly over the pre-baked crust. Then, distribute the cubed corned beef evenly over the dressing, followed by an even layer of sauerkraut.
- Cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded Swiss and Mozzarella cheeses evenly over the sauerkraut, covering the pizza to ensure a gooey, golden finish.
- Bake: Place the assembled pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted and developed a golden-brown color.
- Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and serve immediately while piping hot for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Reuben Pizza is a Reuben Sandwich turned into a pizza, combining corned beef, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, and Swiss and Mozzarella cheese for a fun and flavorful meal.
- Use a pre-baked pizza crust to avoid sogginess and ensure a crispy base.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of Thousand Island dressing based on your taste preference.
- For added flavor, you can lightly sauté the sauerkraut before adding to the pizza, though it is optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pizza)
- Calories: 446 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1170 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg
